Direction-signal for automobiles



- WITNEss.

G. W. PARDEE. DIRECTION SIGNAL FOR AUTOMOBILES.

APPLICATION FILED APR-3, 1920.

1,355,061. Patented 0012.5,1'920.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

INVENTOR G. W. PARDEE. DIRECTION SIGNAL FOR AUTOMOBILES. APPLICATION FILED APR. 3, 1920. I 1,355,061 Patented Oct. 5, 1920.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

INVENTOR 1 W.

BY 1% n WITNESS Es:

ATTORNEY nnirso stares PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE "W. PARDEE, OF WASHINGTGH, DISTRICT GQLUMBIA.

DIRECTION-SIGNAL FOR AUTOMOBILES.

AppIication filed April 8, 1220,

ments in Direction-Signals for Automobiles,

of which the following is a specification.

The object of my present invention is the provision of a simple, inexpensive and ellicient automobile direction signal, susceptr ble of ready application to an automobile and calculated to enhance rather than detract from the finished appearance of the automobile.

The invention also contemplates the provision of a signal arrangement whereby a driver is enabled to conveniently apprise those following him of his intention to turn to the left or to the right or to stop.

To the attainment of the foregoing the invention consists in the improvement as hereinafter described and definitely claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, hereby made a part hereof Figure 1 is a transverse view of a part of an automobile equipped with my improvement.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged detail view, partly in elevation and partly in section, showing the left hand signal unit as set.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary vertical section illustrating the peculiar and advantageous connection of the actuating means to the cover of the casing in the leit hand unit.

Fig. 41 is an enlarged detail section taken on the line d-d of Fig. 8.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged section showing the J: peculiar and advantageous interlocking oi. the gravitational blades of the left hand signal unit.

F 6 is an enlarged perspective of one of the operating levers of the signal.

Fig. 7 is a perspective showing one ofthe signal blades as the same appears before its tongue is bent into hook form,

Similar numerals of reference designate corresponding parts in.all of the views of the drawings.

In furtherance of my invention I arrange in upright position at opposite sides of an automobile body casi gs 1 which may be of sheet metal or any other approved material and may be aflixed to the automobile body in any workman-like manner compatible with purpose of my invention. Fa ch of the said casings is provided with a flanged Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 5, 1920.

Serial 110. 371,067. 7

cover 2 which is hinged to the casing at the point 3 so as to swing downwardly to closed position in which position it is adapted to exclude moisture from the interior of the casing. Each of the signal units at opposides of the automobile includes a casing 1 and a cover 2, and the said units are otherwise identical in construction. Therefore a detailed description of the left hand signal unit disclosed in Figs. 2 to 7 will suffice to impart a definite understanding of both units. For instance the particular unit referred to includes a spring a the tendency of which is to assist the downward movement of cover 2. The said spring 41 is connected at 5 to the casing 1, is arranged to bear against a projection 6 in the casing and is connected at its upper end to a crank 7, journaled'at 8 in a barrel that is carried by the cover 2 at a point adjacent to the pivoted connection 3, Figs. 2 and i. The particular signal unit referred to also includes a toggle lever, Fig. 3, through the medium of which the cover 2 isopener without interfering in any measure with the subsequent free and complete closing of the cover 2. The said toggle lever includes a member 8, hinged at 9 to the back of tile casing 1, a member 10, hinged at 11 to the cover 2, and a pintle 12 by which the knuclnes of the members 8 and 10 are pivotally connected together. A bell crank 13 is pivoted at 1% in the casing 1, and one arm of the bell crank is connected through a link 15 with the said pintle 12. The left hand unit alluded to also comprises a plurality 'ofgravitational blades 16 each of which is preferably formed of a single piece of sheet metal. The said blades 16 are pivoted at 1'? in the casing 1 and are arranged in parallel vertical planes so as to be susceptible of movemen from within the casing l to the positions shown in Fig. 2 and vice versa. One of the blades 16 is connected by a link 10 to the cover 2, and it is therefore neces sary to interlock and connect the several blades so that when the blade alluded to is opened the other blades will follow and will gravitationally assume the relative position shown in Fig. 2. To this end I provide all of the blades 16 except the uppermost one with a hook 18, and I also provide all of the blades 16 except the lowermost one with a loop 19, Figs. 5 and 7, designed to loosely receive the pendent portion of the hook 18 of the next lower blade. F om this 21, arranged in the automobile within convenient reach of the driver.

Each of the said levers is provided at an intermediate point of its length with an offset apertured and pivoted portion 29-and each apertured and pivoted portion 22 is connected through a rod 28 with the upstanding arm of the bell crank 18 of its respective signal unit. The lever 21 is complementary to the left hand signal unit, and a stop 24 is provided for use in combination with said lever 21 to limit the downward movement of the lever after the point at which the rod 23 is con-v nected to the lever portion 22 has passed the dead center. The advantage of this arrangement will be appreciated by reference to Fig. l in which it will be noted that when the lever 21 is positioned as stated to the left hand unit, the said unit will be retained in the set position until the lever 21 is swung downwardly by the driver after the i tionally closed and when either lever 20 or manner indicated by the dotted arc in Fig. 1; The lever 20 complementary to, the right hand signal unit is swung to the left and upwardly for the setting of said unit, and when the lever 20 brings up against its stop 2a the right hand signal unit will be retained in the set position until the driver moves the lever 20 downwardly and toward the right.

Manifestly when either ofthe levers 20 or 21 is moved to break the dead center referred to, its particular signal unit will be gravita- 21 is swung by the driver to a position against the stop complementary to the lever the particular signal unit of the lever will be set and will be retained in set position until the lever is moved by the driver to the idle position when the signal unit will be promptly closed and placed out of commission.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that my novel signal is adapted to be used to advantage in closed automobiles as well as in open automobiles, and that the setting or release of either signal unit entails but little effort on the part of tl e driver and is adapted to be expeditiously accomplished;

Having described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters-Patent, is

1. In an automobile direction signal of swinging blade type, the combination of a casing, a cover hinged at one end to the easing, a plurality of side by side blades pivoted in the casing and connected together and with the cover, a toggle lever having members pivotally connected together and pivotally connected at their outer ends in the casing and to the cover, respectively, and

operating means connected to the toggle lever.

2. In an automobile direction signal of swinging blade type, the combination of a casing, a cover hinged at one end to the easing, a plurality of side by side blades pivoted in the casing and connected together and with the cover, a toggle lever having members pivotally connected together and pivotally connected at their outer ends in the casing and to the cover, respectively, bell. crank mounted in the casing, a link between the point of fieXure of the toggle lever and one arm of the bell-crank, a crank pivotally connected to the cover, and a spring strip connected to the casing and said crank, and tending to close the cover.

3. The combination of an automobile, direction signal units of swinging type at opposite sides thereof, operating levers mount ed in the automobile at points intermediate of the sides thereof, means connecting intermediate points or the lovers and the signal units, and steps against which the levers bring up when said points are beyond the dead-centers.

4. In an automobile direction signal of plural swinging blade type, the combination of a casing, a cover pivoted thereto, blades arranged side by side in the casing and pivoted thereto, means whereby the blades are slidably interlocked, said means including a loop on one blade and a hook on the adjoining blade, the tongue of which hook is loosely disposed in the loop, and a connection between one blade and the cover.

5. In an automobile direction signal of swinging blade type, the combination of a casing, a cover hinged at one end to the easing, a plurality of side by side blades pivoted in the casing and connected together and with the cover, a'toggle lever having members pivotally connected together and pivotally connected at their outer ends in the easing and to the cover, respectively a bell crank mounted in the casing, a link between the point of flexure of the toggle lever and one arm of the bell-crank, an operating lever mounted in the automobile at a point intermediate of the sides thereof, means connecting an intermediate point of the o her arm of the bell-crank, and a stop against which the lever brings up when said point is beyond the dead-center.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

GEORGE W. PARDEE. 

